Men’s Final Four Teams Finalized: UConn Defeats Duke, Michigan Triumphs Over Tennessee
The men’s Final Four has been finalized, featuring thrilling matchups as UConn and Michigan secured their places in the tournament’s final weekend. Joining them are Illinois and Arizona, setting the stage for the national semifinals in Indianapolis. The women’s bracket also saw decisive outcomes on Sunday, with UConn and UCLA advancing to the semifinals. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments from Sunday’s games.
UConn’s Dramatic Comeback Against Duke
In a stunning upset, second-seeded UConn defeated top-seeded Duke 73-72 in a nail-biting finish. With less than 10 seconds remaining, the Huskies’ defense forced a turnover from Duke’s Cadyn Boozer after an inbounds play, allowing Braylon Mullins to launch a long-range three-pointer that sealed the victory. This marked UConn’s third Final Four appearance in four years, continuing their dominance in the tournament.
“It feels so good to go back home,” Mullins said on CBS. “I can tell you that. I’m excited. Think everyone else will enjoy it too, but we’re ready for Indy.”
Despite a 19-point deficit early in the game, UConn outscored Duke 44-29 in the second half, fueled by Tarris Reed Jr.’s 26 points. The Huskies’ struggles from beyond the arc in the first half—shooting 1-for-18—turned around as they hit 4 of 5 in the final stretch. The 19-year-old Mullins, from Indiana, added 10 points to the victory.
Michigan’s Dominance Over Tennessee
No. 1 seed Michigan showcased their unstoppable momentum by overpowering No. 6 seed Tennessee 95-62. The Wolverines’ 21-0 run in the first half shifted the game’s trajectory, extending their lead to 19 points and leaving Tennessee in a scoring slump. Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg led the charge, scoring 27 points with a highlight-reel reverse lay-up during the critical run.
“Yaxel is serious with that shot!” exclaimed a commentator, referencing the standout moment. 🤯
By halftime, Michigan had a commanding 48-26 lead, signaling their intent to dominate the Final Four. The Wolverines’ performance marks a historic achievement: they become the first team to win their first four NCAA tournament games by double digits while scoring 90+ points in each contest. Their path now leads to a showdown with Arizona on Saturday.
Women’s Final Four Progress
Meanwhile, the women’s tournament also reached its semifinal stage. UConn, the overall No. 1 seed, extended their Elite Eight-winning streak to 54 games with a 70-52 win over Notre Dame. Sarah Strong, the sophomore standout, contributed 21 points, including 15 in the second half, alongside seven rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. The Huskies will face either South Carolina or TCU in the semifinals.
UCLA’s battle against Duke was equally intense, with the Bruins narrowly advancing after a hard-fought contest. Duke, however, managed a narrow escape as they defeated their opponents, though the outcome didn’t match the momentum of the men’s games.
Looking Ahead to the Final Four
Michigan will take on Arizona in the semifinals, promising a high-stakes clash. For UConn, the challenge remains to bring their third national championship in four years to Storrs, Connecticut. The Final Four games will unfold at Lucas Oil Stadium, with teams eager to make their mark in the final weekend of the tournament.
